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May 5th • Cultural Heritage

Cinco de Mayo

Celebrating the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. While often mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo has become a massive celebration of Mexican-American culture. Today, we debate heritage, identity, and the line between celebration and appropriation.

Traditional Mexican food

Speaking Discussion

  • What is the most famous Mexican tradition or food in your country?
  • Why do you think Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more widely in the USA than in most parts of Mexico?
  • When does a celebration of a culture cross the line into "cultural appropriation"?
  • Do you think it's okay for companies to use national holidays to sell products (like beer or snacks)?
  • How does your own country handle the commercialisation of its traditional festivals?
  • If you were planning a cultural festival for your own heritage, what are the three things you would MUST include?

Activity 1: The Cultural Consultant

The Task: You are a cultural consultant hired by a large supermarket chain that wants to run a "Cinco de Mayo" promotion.

Prepare a set of 3 guidelines to ensure the promotion is respectful and educational, not just a way to sell tacos. in your guidelines.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The best way to learn about a new culture is through its..."
  • "If I could travel to any city in Mexico, I would go to..."
  • "A holiday should be about history, but also about..."